Downpour in catchments spikes hydro-power generation

Hydro-power generation has soared to 68.34 per cent of the total capacity owing to heavy rainfall in catchment areas, a spokesman of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said today.

“The average capacity of all reservoirs has also increased to nearly 95 per cent. Consequent to better rainfall and increase in hydro-power generation, the CEB has discontinued purchasing power from private power providers (PPP),” he said.

Accordingly, the water level of main power-generating reservoirs such as Castlereagh stood at 92.7% to the spill level, Maussakele 92.8%, Kotmale 89.8%, Randenigala 93.6% and Samanalawewa 100 per cent as of yesterday.

With extremely-satisfactory water level and hydro-power generation, the generation of thermal power which is costly and harmful to the environment has dwindled. The CEB-owned thermal power plants have generated 29.13 per cent of power yesterday.

When inquired by Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, the CEB Chairman said hydro-power generation was 68 per cent as of yesterday.

The CEB in mid-2018 produced only less than 20% of hydro-power and purchased heavily from PPP that contributed to increasing its losses and indebtedness.

The CEB’s accumulated losses are forecasted to top Rs.85 billion by the end of 2020. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)